I love to use the mortar and pestle to combine spices and ingredients. Bashing up spices releases their flavor so much more than just mincing. One of my favorite things to do is make a paste that you can add to anything. This mixture of lemongrass, garlic, and ginger is a simple base to so many recipes. You can also buy spices whole and grind them into a powder before you cook to get the freshest spices you’ll ever taste. Get one. It’s worth it.
